First off, Downhere's "Ending is Beginning" is seriously wearing a hole in my iPod (if that were at all possible). I've listened to it a ton and I'm more impressed now than I was when I originally posted about it. You have got to get this album, then tell a friend to - after they've bought Running Back to You - buy this album.
Secondly, Ben Folds' new album Way to Normal came out this week. Be warned...there's a Parental Warning. Apparently, Ben's recent divorce and remarriage unleashed his ascerbic wit, and from an artistic standpoint, amazing creativity. He's always been a favorite of mine, but this stands up with any work he's done in the past, if not surpasses it. It is a GREAT album. Not perfect and there is some language to deal with, but if you can deal with objectionable elements, this album is his best easily since Rocking the Suburbs.
Thirdly, I'm still chewing on Bebo Norman's new self-titled album. It's good. On first listen, I thought it was his best in a long time. It definitely holds up better than his last album. But the more I listen to it, the more I kinda feel like it's uni-dimensional. The songs are well-written. The production is competent. But after listening a couple of times, you've got it. Or at least I feel like I got it. I'm a huge Bebo fan. But this album may need a little more time in my ears for me to just LOVE it. It's a good to very good album. I don't know that it's great yet. More to come on that.
Fourthly, I'm in love with Darius Rucker's second solo album. You may remember him as Hootie. Hear this album and he'll just be Darius. Great country music. That's right, I said country music. Haha...check this album out. For sure.
Lastly, I'm really enjoying Kings of Leon's Because of the Times. This ethereal garage rock album (yes, I put those words together) is fantastic. It's probably not for everyone...there's a lot to dig into...but if you can dig it is GREAT. I like their past stuff, but this one especially is great. It's kind of earlier U2 meets Nirvana meets southern rock. Weird mixture, but it ends up really great.
37 comments:
AH....Hootie and the Blowfish. Shades of my youth. I knew living in the Nashville area, a little country would have to rub off on you. lol (BTW, any news on who is going to end up with "Here Comes Goodbye?" Love that song).
No one can say you're not eclectic. : )
I love your new music reviews, Chris. I haven't checked out Downhere's new one yet. Life's WAY too crazy lately.
Bebo: I think everything this man does is great but I haven't found any of his CD's to be greater than his oldest, Ten Thousand Days. Between The Dreaming came close for me. Gotta get his latest and give it a good long listen. Heard "Britney" on the radio the other day and liked what he said in it immensely. With Bebo I find the more I listen, the more I LOVE. Sounds like that may be the case w/you too.
Gonna check out all your other recommends. You rarely steer me wrong.
How's Albuquerque going? Wishin' I was there! :o)
Thanks for the heads up on Rucker, I love, loved Hootie and Blowfish! Gonna look for that!
Hootie and the Blowfish was the name of the band, but Darius was never Hootie. If memory serves, Hootie and the Blowfish was kind of a putdown of two people they went to school with, ergo Darius gets rather galled that there people who think he is Hootie.
GDA
Chriiiiiiis, did you go and see Hanson at the Wildhorse on Friday night?
I like hearing about the music you are listening to. :-) It is so rare I hear an album, and really love it. I hear it, often go "That's nice", and then I'm done. It's the rare one I listen to over and over, and boy, is it exciting when you find one!
We were really excited about JOURNEY making a comeback, with the new lead singer etc(who is a brilliant mimic) but the album of new material is just okay. The old stuff however totally KILLS. Watch them if the replay the show they did on VH1 again, and be amazed.
The new Cheetah Girls album is really good, for those of you in a younger age-hugging demographic. No comment as yet, on the new and slightly scarey Miley Cyrus album.
For those looking to get quickly obsessed, I recommend listening to AudioAdrenalin's "Get Down". I am all OVER that thing, right now!:-)
(Oh, and buy SELFLESS, by Darude and Blake Lewis from the Dance4Life album...good music, for a good cause.)
Haha, Chris.
Nice Twitter post.
I have a pretty bad cold so I know what you mean. Just wait until you're coughing stuff up, too!
TMI, folks. LOL
Okay, um Geeeerrrrooooosss, both of you!
dj
LOL, sorry!
I ended up losing my voice. Good thing we're lip syncing for the video otherwise I'd be in trouble!
Chris,
Have you gotten a lot of entries for the video contest?
must be something going around -- I've got a little cold that is affecting my voice. This makes me think that I won't do well on auditioning for the solo for our church choir's cantata.
when do you think your 2nd album will be out chris?
you keep talking it up it sounds great
Haha...it'll be a while before the next actual album comes out. What we're actually looking at is a couple of things to tide people over till the next album. At some point I'll record Requiem and maybe another "sacred" song or two for an EP. We're thinking about that being released next year about this time. Then in December of '09 we'll probably release a full Christmas album (we're doing a Christmas EP this year that we'll lengthen to a full album next summer-ish). Then, we'll probably release the next actual album sometime in 2010. So...we've got a while.
now, I should say that this blog is just a place for me to dump thoughts...so don't be ticked off if everything doesn't happen like I'm thinking it will now.
Chris
Sacred song? How about "Faith Begins"?
You know how much I love that song and would love,love,love for you to record it. It is an amazing song that makes me cry most of the time but it also restores me to where I need to be.
Or your "Communion Song". Another one that gives me chills everytime I listen to it....
Please...Please..
Okay, enough begging and whining.
For any of you that haven't heard "Faith Begin's", it's on Chris's Myspace Production page.
Give it a listen. It is so awesome.
Come on Carmen, chime in...
Oh yeah, bring the kleenex's when you listen. It's that beautiful...
Shalom, Happy Birthday! (I'm too tired to sing the b'day song right now...it's been a LOOOOONG day, but I'm singing it on the inside! LOL) Risa
Risa~you are so good..
Happy Birthday Shalom...
Happy Birthday Shalom! Many birthday wishes coming your way from Florida.
Chris,
I have to agree with Cathy about Faith Begins. I absolutely love that song! Personally I think it is your best song post Running Back to You. Of course I have not heard everything you've written. However, of the stuff I have heard, Faith Begins is pretty freaking awesome. I think it has the potential to be a bigger hit than Empty Me-- IMHO.
Anyway, if any of you have not given it a listen, then check it out at Chris's production myspace page. And like Cathy said, bring the tissue cause that song will truly move your heart.
Carmen
I love the music up on the production MS! :-)
--also, Jason Walker has a new song added to his page, so have a listen.
Happy B-day Shalom! Blessings in the year ahead.
No thoughts about what sacred song to add Chris, I'm sure whatever you choose will be great. I'm looking forward to the EP. (Since you brought up Requiem, I have had thoughts of "Amadeus" in my head!)
Ticked off, us? Neva!
Oh, happy, happy Birthday Shalom and may you have many more!
You amazing people remember dates !!!
Thank you all for the good wishes.
Am sitting here smiling.
Beautiful day on the West Coast, heading out for dinner.
Shalom
I'm a little late but hope you had a happy birthday, Shalom!
I had to leave a comment on here because I am very excited! I visit this blog every few days to see if there are new posts. I have just never started chatting with everyone. However, I get to go to Chris's concert in Danville, Illinois tomorrow night!! Woohoo!! About a month ago, I heard Chris was going to be around here. However, I have had some stuff going on, and forgot (sorry Chris). However, this morning, our Christian radio station was giving away a family four pack of tickets if you were the 7th caller. Guess what? I was the 7th caller!! So, my wife and I and some of our friends get to travel to Danville to see Chris!! I am very excited to finally get to see him in concert! I thought it would be fun to go to the picnic, but I couldn't make it. So, now I finally get to go to a concert. Is anyone else from this blog going??
Ben-Welcome! We're glad you stepped out to comment and hope you will continue. How exciting that you won tickets for your family! You guys are going to have an awesome time. As you have no doubt read from various posters, Chris puts on an awesome show. I'm a little sad because this is the weekend I was going to try and catch him in Ohio...he's playing close to my sister, but just couldn't work it out with my schedule. Anyway, have fun and give us a full report afterward!
Ben~
Welcome to the blog..How exciting that you get to go see Chris in concert. Be prepared to get your face rocked off!! It will be awesome.
We want all the details.
Plan on coming to the picnic this year because it's going to be really fun. Not sure of the date just yet but keep checking. And keep posting on the blog. We love adding new friends...
I hope you have an awesome time at the concert and be sure to introduce yourself to Chris. Don't be shy...
Ben,
Welcome and have fun at the concert. Be sure to introduce yourself. Chris is so nice and I think that he really likes to meet us. I don't know if it's just me but after meeting Chris, everytime I read a post on this blog in my head I can hear him speaking whatever he has written.OKay enough weirdness. Hope everybody has a great day.
Candy
Oh, Ben, forgot to add, I think Lori will be there Friday night. Lori, calling Lori!
Ben,
Welcome to the posting world! Good to have you.
How cool that you won 4 tickets! Let us know what happens tonight and, like Cathy said, you HAVE to introduce yourself to him afterwards.
Isn't Danville where Gina Glockson is from??
I thought Gina was up somewhere by Chicago? Maybe Naperville? I don't think it is Danville, but I could be wrong. I'll let everyone know how the show went. It won't be until Monday, though...
Shalom - happy belated birthday!
Ben - welcome, and keep posting!
Chris - that's nasty! (re: the twitter post)
Just a heads up to everyone, one of this weeks free singles on itunes is by the Christian group 33 Miles. It's called One Life to Love. It's worth checking out!
Ben, glad you stepped out of the shadows to say hello, welcome!
Have fun at the concert and don't forget to come back and report in with details!
Happy Wed. !
dj
Candy-not weird but true it seems after you've met Chris this blog makes way more sense,lol.
Ben,
Welcome to the blog. Glad your are here and posting. You are going to have so much fun at the concert. Chris always puts on a great show. And please don't be shy, go say "hi" to Chris. Plus take lots and lots of pictures. We can't wait to see them!!!
Emily,
I love that song by 33Miles. I have it on my ipod and it is great. Also another heads up for all of you who might be interested. There is a free download on Amazon by a group called The Afters. The song is "One Moment Away". Check it out.
Hi Candy! *waves* I know what you're saying about Chris, yup. Not wierd at all.
Ben-- Gina's from Naperville, but I dunno if she's living there now. I'm originally from IL so, that info sticks with me...
Hi Chris -
Been forever since I last posted - but hope you and all the Fro Patro are doing well. Thanks for the new music heads up - you never know where you'll find something you really like.
Here's one from left field - from an Audi Commerical no less - can't get it out of my head....you can go to Audi website to download or check out the You Tube link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqEHe97xo-Y
Peace
Tom in ATL
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